Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper

Nurse Practitioner’s Role in Advanced Directives in Illinois

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are vital in helping patients in Illinois with advanced directives (ADs). ADs are legal documents that specify a patient’s preferred course of care if they cannot do so for themselves. NPs can help patients fill out and sign these forms. They are authorized to support discussions about ADs. A physician’s independent or joint signature is not required under Illinois law for ADs. Wilkinson (2022) asserts that NPs can independently direct patients through the procedure. Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper

Client Benefiting from Hospice or Palliative Care Referral

I encountered a patient with advanced heart failure and multiple comorbidities. Recurrent hospitalizations, frequent pain, and significant emotional distress accompanied her declining health. A recommendation for palliative care or hospice could have been highly beneficial. She may have benefited from both services by receiving complete pain management, emotional support, and help transferring to end-of-life care.

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Approaching the Conversation with the Client

I would express my concern for the patient’s well-being. I would introduce the concept of hospice and palliative care. This would involve emphasizing their focus on enhancing her quality of life and minimizing her suffering. I would listen attentively to her fears and preferences, ensuring she understands that her choices are valued and respected. By addressing her physical and emotional needs, I aim to provide the patient with the utmost care and dignity during this challenging phase of her life. Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper

Improving Palliative and Hospice Care Access

1. Community Outreach and Education: Organize workshops and information sessions to help raise awareness about palliative and hospice care. Educate community members, especially vulnerable and underserved populations. The education should be about the benefits of these services and myths and address cultural barriers that may hinder access (Hui & Bruera, 2020).
2. Collaborative Partnerships: Establish collaborations between healthcare institutions, non-profit organizations, and local government agencies to enhance palliative and hospice care access. Develop mobile units that bring services directly to underserved neighborhoods, providing on-site consultations and support. This approach can mitigate transportation and financial barriers (Koh et al., 2019). Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper

References

Hui, D., & Bruera, E. (2020). Models of palliative care delivery for patients with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(9), 852.

Koh, M. Y., Lee, J. F., Montalban, S., Foo, C. L., & Hum, A. Y. (2019). ED-PALS: a comprehensive palliative care service for oncology patients in the emergency department. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 36(7), 571-576.

Wilkinson, L. E. (2022). Honoring the Intentions of a Loved One-The Importance of Advance Directives.

Discuss the laws in your illinois state related to the nurse practitioner’s (NP) role and responsibility in creating and signing advanced directives (ADs). Indicate if the NP can independently complete AD documents or a physician is required to sign or cosign the documents. Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper

Consider clients you’ve encountered in practicum (or in your practice as a registered nurse). Identify at least ONE client who may have benefited from a referral to hospice or palliative care. Indicate why this client would have benefited from these services. Describe how as an NP you might approach the conversation with the client.

Discuss at least TWO recommendations you have for improving palliative and hospice care access to vulnerable and underserved populations in your community.  Empowering Advanced Directives and Holistic Care Assignment Paper